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Dickinson airport passenger traffic triples in a year

DICKINSON, N.D. - Dickinson's Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport has nearly tripled its number of passengers compared to the same time last year, according to a new North Dakota Aeronautics Commission report.

Through April of last year, 5,523 passengers flew to or from Dickinson through April. This year, 15,589 passengers used the airport through April -- an increase of 182 percent.

Delta Airlines added new flights to Dickinson last June to accommodate demand associated with western North Dakota oil boom.

Use of North Dakota airports increased by 11,494 passengers, or 14 percent, according to the report.

Kyle Wanner, director of the state’s Aeronautics Commission, said in a release that more air traffic will boost competition, driving down prices for passengers.